Top Ulster Unionist Lord Kilclooney last night provoked uproar after he claimed 13 gunmen were shot dead on Bloody Sunday.

Top Ulster Unionist Lord Kilclooney last night provoked uproar after he claimed 13 gunmen were shot dead on Bloody Sunday.

Relatives of the 13 unarmed civilians shot dead by British troops in Londonderry in January 1972 reacted with fury at the former MP John Taylor's claims which they said were undoubtedly directed at their loved ones.

John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was among those killed on the day, said: "It's incredible that he actually made that atrocious remark."

Lord Kilclooney drew gasps of astonishment from families of the dead when he made his assertion at the Saville Inquiry.

Their fury was compounded by his claims that nationalists were drinking to celebrate a major propaganda success in their bid to topple the Northern Ireland government.

In his statement to the tribunal the Ulster Unionist peer, who was a minister in the old Stormont regime at the time of Bloody Sunday, said he remained convinced the army returned fire after being shot at.

Asked by Michael Lavery QC, representing most of the victims' families, if he believed 13 gunmen had been killed, he replied: "Oh yes, I believed that, yes and still do incidentally."

He insisted he did not believe the "propaganda" message that innocent people taking part in a civil rights march had been shot dead by the British Army.

Relatives emerging from Londonderry's Guildhall where the Saville hearing is taking place were stunned by his claims.

Michael Bradley, who was shot in both arms and the stomach when the Paratroopers opened fire, said: "He thinks we were all terrorists. He was referring to everyone who died and it was very, very hurtful."

The former UUP deputy leader told the inquiry his claims were based on detailed information received from the army. It was his belief at the time that all of the victims were shot because they were endangering the lives of security force members.